Sadie - Review

Sadie

By: Courtney Summers

Publication: September 4th 2018 by Wednesday Books

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A gripping novel about the depth of a sister's love; poised to be the next book you won't be able to stop talking about.

A missing girl on a journey of revenge and a Serial-like podcast following the clues she's left behind.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray—a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America—overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page.

I've read two Courtney Summers books before. One I loved. The other was just okay for me. When I first saw Sadie available for review, I decided to take a pass on it. But then I realized Courtney Summers was the author and I took a second look. Sadie isn't my typical preferred genre. While I occasionally like Mystery/Thriller/Suspense books, I usually prefer romance driven books. And well, there's not a romance in Sadie at all. But I try not to write books off entirely just because they're different from what I normally prefer because I've found in the past that sometimes I'll love a book that ends up changing my reading preferences. However, that was not the case with Sadie.

I really struggled with this book. The first 30% was very slow for me. And then I was probably 60% finished before I finally felt hooked into knowing what happened to Sadie and to Mattie. 60% is a long read when you're not fully invested. And I can't really give you a reason why I wasn't invested until that point because I liked Sadie. I liked the podcast and West McCray. I guess the pieces of the puzzle that we were given up until that point were slow for me. Of course, each piece is important for the overall story, but it was a process for me to get there.

The ending of Sadie was open. There's supposed to be the potential for hope, but it feels very faint to me. There's some justice which I think is intended to give the reader some satisfaction where the open ending might not fully satisfy. It wasn't a bad ending, but like I said, not completely satisfying either. I did read a note that Courtney Summers herself shared about the ending of the story which gave me a more comprehensive view of why the ending was left open, but I still can't say was satisfying.

Being a mother, the content and events of Sadie were hard for me to read as well. I don't ever want to imagine one of my children being brutally murdered, sexually assaulted, unloved, or missing. It's heartbreaking, and yet Sadie felt like such a real story. The events way too commonplace. It's heartbreaking when you think about any one piece much less all put together. *Spoiler alert* This is a sad story.

Sadie ended up being just an okay read for me. The genre is outside of my norm as I tend to prefer books driven by romantic relationships. The content was hard to swallow. And even though the characters were likable and I sympathized with them, they almost made the story harder to read. I had a hard time getting to a point where I felt fully invested, but once I did, I finished Sadie quickly. I'm giving Sadie 3 Stars. Have you read Sadie? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 12/16/18

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Little Girl finished up school this week until after the new year. We didn't do much of anything until the weekend. Both kids are still constantly battling runny noses and coughs, but mostly they're fine. Saturday we went to my parents for Christmas with my side of the family. This is the earliest in the month we've ever done it and I kept thinking that I had to put out Santa presents and cookies and such when we got home, but yeah we've got about a week and a half before that.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of When It's Real by Erin Watt (4 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of Sadie by Courtney Summers
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2018 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

Can't Wait for The Last Letter

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

The Last Letter

By: Rebecca Yarros

Expected Publication: February 26th 2019 by Entangled: Amara

432 pages

Genre: Adult, Contemporary

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

When It's Real - Review

When It's Real

By: Erin Watt

Publication: May 30th 2017 by Harlequin Teen

413 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Borrowed from the e-library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Meet Oakley Ford-teen celebrity, renowned pop star, child of famous movie stars, hottie with millions of fangirls… and restless troublemaker. On the surface he has it all, but with his home life disintegrating, his music well suddenly running dry, and the tabloids having a field day over his outrageous exploits, Oakley's team decides it's time for an intervention. The result: an image overhaul, complete with a fake girlfriend meant to show the world he's settled down.

Enter seventeen-year-old Vaughn Bennett-devoted sister, part-time waitress, the definition of "normal." Under ordinary circumstances she'd never have taken this gig, but with her family strapped for cash, she doesn't have much of a choice. And for the money Oakley's team is paying her, she figures she can put up with outlandish Hollywood parties and a team of publicists watching her every move. So what if she thinks Oakley's a shallow, self-centered jerk? It's not like they're going to fall for each other in real life…right?

I started When It's Real because I remember that Holly enjoyed it, and I needed a book to get my out of a reading slump. Often times what I'm looking for in a book to get me out of a slump is a contemporary, fast read that doesn't have to have much depth. In this case, When It's Real didn't necessarily pull me out of my reading slump entirely, but it was interesting enough to pull me out temporarily.

Don't go into When It's Real expecting a book that feels like it could actually happen. Books about celebrities dating normal people aren't usually going to feel too real. And in this case, Oakley and Vaughn fake date first before developing real feelings for each other. So we've got that trope added in as well. But honestly, I didn't mind one bit. I'm not always looking for real when I need something fast and fun. I just want emotion-driven, cheesy even at times, happy love stories.

Because of Oakley's celebrity status, Vaughn and a couple of other people in her real life have to sign non-disclosure agreements. Vaughn's open to this fake relationship because of the big, big bucks it can bring to her family. She's completely unsure of what she wants to do with her life, and her older sister has taken the huge burden of providing financially for their family after both of their parents died in a car accident. Vaughn wants to contribute and this would lighten the load enormously. But back to the non-disclosure, I appreciated this being included because I haven't read this in other celebrity/normal book relationships in the past. It also had me thinking that conflict was going to come from one direction that ended up being different from how I imagined it.

Oakley's coming at this relationship for the PR stunt. The idea is that dating a good, normal girl will clean up his bad boy image and show a particular record producer that Oakley wants to work with that he's serious about his music. And he is serious about his music. He wants to change his sound, if not his image exactly, and he's sure this producer is the right one to help him do it. So he agrees to the PR stunt, but is Vaughn just another person using him?

I liked the side story of Vaughn's sister and Oakley's bodyguard starting to develop some feelings and I would really love to dive in and read their book if Erin Watt ever decided to write it.

When It's Real was exactly what I needed at the time I read it. It was quick. It hooked me. I didn't expect too much of it. I found a relationship that I could root for, but I likely won't remember the details of this one a year or two from now. I still feel like When It's Real deserves 4 Stars. Have you read When It's Real? What did you think? Let me know!

Sunday Post & Stacking the Shelves - 12/9/18

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Somehow I completely forgot to prep my Sunday Post/Stacking the Shelves post last week. So I'll be doing a two week recap. Sorry about that. The week I missed was pretty busy. I took food to a friend of mine who had a baby recently on Tuesday. Wednesday I took the kids to Daddy's work to visit him and see all of our friends. (Both of my parents work at the same office, and I worked there too before Little Girl was born so we have quite a lot of people to get around to and see.) A man I used to work with was having his retirement party that afternoon so it was a great excuse for us to get by there. Thursday and Friday were normal days. Saturday my cousin got married in Mobile so we drove 3 hours there. Spent 2 hours at the wedding and reception. And then drove another 3 hours home. The kids did really well considering. The trip home is always more stressful than getting there. Sunday we ate lunch with our church family and then dinner with Husband's mom and sister. Monday of this past week I had to get 2 cavities filled (so frustrating when I try so hard to keep my teeth in good shape). The kids spent the day with Husband's mom so they had fun. Tuesday afternoon, Little Boy woke up from nap running 104.3 fever. I got him a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, and turns out he has a double ear infection. Bless him. I feel so guilty because he likely had it since at least Friday of the past week. But he hadn't been showing any other symptoms really. Thursday I had to do grocery shopping since we wouldn't be home on Saturday. Friday was a normal day. And Saturday we drove to Anniston for an annual family reunion for Husband's extended family.

THIS PAST WEEK:

Monday: Review of Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Rules We're Meant to Break by Natalie Williamson
Friday November 2018 EOM Wrap Up
Monday: Review of The Curiosity Keeper (Treasures of Surrey, # 1) by Sarah E Ladd
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Finding Mr. Better-Than-You by Shani Petroff

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: Review of When It's Real by Erin Watt
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday

Don’t forget to link up for the 2018 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2018 to sing up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

The Sound of Drowning

By: Katherine Fleet

Publication: March 12th 2019 by Page Street Kids

384 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Meredith Hall has a secret. Every night she takes the ferry to meet Ben, her best friend and first love. Though their relationship must remain a secret, they’ve been given a second chance, and Mer's determined to make it work. She lost Ben once before and discovered the awful reality: she doesn't know how to be happy without him…

Until Wyatt washes ashore―a brash new guy with a Texas twang and a personality bigger than his home state. He makes her feel reckless, excited, and alive in ways that cut through her perpetual gloom. The deeper they delve into each other’s pasts, the more Wyatt’s charms become impossible to ignore.

But a storm is brewing in the Outer Banks. When it hits, Mer finds her heart tearing in half and her carefully constructed reality slipping back into the surf. As she discovers that even the most deeply buried secrets have a way of surfacing, she’ll have to learn that nothing is forever―especially second chances.

Crazy on You (Love and Harmony, # 3)

By: Crystal B. Bright

Publication: February 12th 2019 by Lyrical Shine

pages

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Shut out the noise and listen to your heart . . .

Worse than a one-hit wonder, Tassia Hogan is a one-line wonder. Infamous for a memorable, extremely provocative verse, her music career is going nowhere. Finding a decent man to date has also proven fruitless . . . they all think she’s as wanton as those lyrics. But now her label is offering Tassia the chance to shine—with a catch. The album is duets. Her partner is a Country Western singer. And he’s just as reluctant to agree as she is.

Hyde Love has been in the music business since he was eleven, and he’s becoming more and more disenchanted with it. Collaborating on an album seems great in theory, but Tassia is an R&B singer. Melding their sounds and personalities will be difficult—though not as tough as keeping things strictly business. Getting involved with his partner could prove career-wrecking, yet discovering the real Tassia could be earth-shattering.

Maybe Now (Maybe, # 2)

By: Colleen Hoover

Publication: November 29th 2018 by Hoover Ink, Inc

296 pages

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library (freebie)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--What is more important? Friendship, loyalty or love?

Colleen Hoover and Griffin Peterson collaborate once again to bring fans of Maybe Someday back into the musical world of Ridge Lawson and Sydney Blake.

And Maggie.

And Warren and Bridgette.

This full length novel is a follow-up to the New York Times bestselling novel, Maybe Someday. For the best reading experience, Maybe Now should be read after Maybe Someday and the spin-off novella, Maybe Not. However, Maybe Now can also be read immediately following Maybe Someday.

Verity

By: Colleen Hoover

Publication: December 7th 2018 by Hoover Ink, Inc.

397 pages

Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, releasing December 7th.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!